Tuesday, 7 September 2010

Tree of Trees

We all know that the tree has been a meeting place, a landmark, shelter and a source of warmth (firewood) and food (fruit) for a very long time and, globally.

It is no real surprise then to read.... “the commonest associations to it’s meaning are growth, life, unfolding of form in a physical and spiritual sense, development, growth from below upwards and from above downwards, the maternal aspect (protection, shade, shelter, nourishing fruits, source of life, solidity, permanence, firm-rootedness, but also being “rooted to the spot”), old age,personality, and finally death and rebirth.” [CGJung].

It was a symbol taken up in many an alchemical treatise to signify the development of The Work, the Opus, and was often called The Philosophical Tree as the gold (goal) was called The Philosophical Gold. It was said to grow out of the salt water with a golden trunk and seven branches with the sun and moon as fruit.

There are not many cultures who do not have a tree included either in a creation myth or a significant fairy story for, presumably, the tree was our first home or shelter. Even in places where no tree grows naturally, their imagery is included in myth.

“In so far as the tree symbolizes the Opus and the transformation process “tam ethice quam physice” (both morally and physically), it also signifies the life process in general. It’s identity with Mercurius, the spiritus vegetativus, confirms this view. Since the Opus is a life, death, and rebirth mystery, the tree as well acquires this significance and in addition the quality of wisdom...” [CGJung].

Well, this is just some philosophical background into why I have called my build at IBM Tree of Trees. Add to that my feeling for trees, in general, and it’s not so hard to see why I have spent three years trying to improve the basic bio-diversity of the very dodgy flora I first encountered when I came to SL.

I think my build at IBM is a sort of milestone, it says, well, this is how far I’ve got so far.